Crossword Genius

To ravage always wrong, note (3,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lay waste

'to ravage' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'always wrong note' is the wordplay.
'wrong' indicates an anagram.
'note' becomes 'te' (**).
'always' with letters rearranged gives 'laywas'.
'laywas'+'te'='LAY WASTE'

(Other definitions for lay waste that I've seen before include "Destroy or ruin, demolish" , "Destroy, raze to the ground" , "wreak devastation" , "Raze, destroy buildings, crops etc" , "Make desolate" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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